Night shift working, tips required please

sb44

Thanks folks for all of your ideas and advice, I will pass them all on to my husband.

He has never done night shifts as he is an office worker so it will all be new to him. As I said, beggars can't be choosers regarding jobs in today's climate especially a 46 year old.

RichardD1970

My routine (full time nights).

Sunday stay up as late as possible.

Monday get up as late as possible, usually manage 10 - 10:30.

Light lunch, do what ever, cooked meal about 5:30pm.

Work 8:15pm - 6am. Take a "lunch" which is eaten at 1:30am

Home about 6:20.

Potter about, don't eat but have a drink (non alcoholic, although I know a few who do). Shower and in bed 7:30ish.

Get up around 1:30 - 2:00. Repeat Monday.

Repeat till Friday when I get to bed later, around 9am and set my alarm for 4hrs after getting in bed, ready for sleeping overnight at the weekend. (When younger I used to often not sleep at all on Fridays)

As people have said, everyone will find their own system.

It can affect you in unexpected ways to start with, it can mess with your digestion, you may be grumpier than usual, decision making can be harder and other such problems, but these should settle down after a while. Keep hydrated.

Would definitely recommend blackout curtain/blinds.

the_donchichio

When I am on night shift, I tend to have a light breakfast before goung to sleep and a proper meal in the evening when I wake up. And a lunch at work, you really dont want to sleep on a full stomach or miss out on a proper meal

torbrex

I worked 4 nights a week for almost 12 years.
I just reversed the day around, I started work at 8pm so I got out of bed at 7pm, showered, had breakfast and went to work.
I got home about 9am next day, cooked and ate a full meal, watched some TV, usually recorded from night before, shower and in bed by about noon then repeat.
Friday was different, if I was not doing weekend overtime, I would hit the sheets as soon as I got home (a blacker) and set the alarm for 1pm and that was me back to 'normal' for the weekend.
It did help that I was a non-drinker otherwise I doubt if I could have coped with too much alcohol.

Mrs_Ryan

When I did rota'd night shifts I would be straight home and to bed then get up about three o clock. I worked in a physically and mentally demanding job in a hospital caring for dementia patients and I needed that time to switch off and rest- I couldn't concentrate on TV and didn't want to eat. I work 9-5 now in an admin role and don't miss night shifts at all!

ariba10

There was a strict rule in our house when I worked nights.

No one spoke to me when I got up from bed, until I spoke first. (Even the dog kept his distance)

Could be anything from ten mins to half an hour.

Apart from that it went well.

Sncjw

I loved night shift when I did it,

On day before night shift I try stay up late as possible to try get little sleep at night . I'd wake up have a bite to eat and little things. I then go back to sleep untill 4pm-6pm my shift started at 9 so was good. I. That time I'd have a meal and get sorted for work and watch TV. I Was able to choose my break time usually 1am or 2 am depending how busy we were. I'd come home around 8am and it's lovely seeing people go into work as your leaving. I'd get home and watch TV and chill for a bit. I'd then go to sleep and repeat routine. The best bit was seeing the sun rise during the quiet times of the shift,

pinkshoes

I hated night shift, as i really struggled with day sleep.

I did 10pm til 6am, then had breakfast at 7am with others at home, then went to bed at 8am when everyone had left for work, making sure phone unplugged and doorbell switched off!

I found by going to bed when i got in, then if i didn't sleep well, there was no rush to get up.

I had very broken sleep to begin with as i am not a night owl!

I had dinner with the others at 6pm (albeit a light one, having just woken up!).

I ate lunch at 2am in my break.

At weekends, sleep was sporadic, depending on what i had planned! Sometimes i worked 12 hour nights at weekends as the money was good!